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In the World's Driest Desert, Chile Freezes Its Future to Protect Plants

In the arid expanse of the Atacama Desert, one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth, the Chilean government is making a critical investment not in minerals or conventional infrastructure, but in its biological future. Tucked away in a remote hillside, a state-of-the-art facility is working to safeguard the nation's agricultural and ecological resilience against the accelerating threat of climate change.

This is the Intihuasi seed bank, the operational heart of a national network dedicated to preserving the genetic blueprint of Chile's vast and unique flora. Described by its director as a "Noah's Ark" for Chilean agriculture, the project represents a strategic national effort to secure the country's food supply and protect its irreplaceable biodiversity for generations to come.

A Strategic Investment in Biological Capital

The initiative is a direct response to a stark reality: Chile's unique geography makes it exceptionally vulnerable to the effects of a warming planet. As a major net exporter of food—with fresh fruit, wine, and cereals forming a cornerstone of its economy—any disruption to its agricultural sector carries significant financial consequences.

The network of seed banks, led by the flagship Intihuasi facility, functions as a long-term insurance policy. By collecting, studying, and preserving seeds from across the country's diverse ecosystems, from the hyper-arid north to the temperate central valleys, Chile is building a living library of genetic traits. These traits—such as drought resistance, heat tolerance, and pest resilience—will be indispensable for adapting crops and restoring ecosystems in the decades ahead.

The Intihuasi Seed Bank: A Fortress for Flora

Located miles from the small town of Vicuña, the Intihuasi facility was deliberately placed in a remote, sparsely populated area to insulate it from potential human-made or natural disasters. Its design prioritizes security and long-term viability.

• Engineered for Resilience: The structure is dug directly into a rocky hillside, with thick, earthquake-proof concrete walls designed to withstand the region's significant seismic activity.

• Precision Storage Conditions: Inside, a walk-in freezer maintains a constant, frigid temperature of -4°F (-20°C) with a humidity level of just 15%. These strict conditions halt the metabolic processes of the seeds, allowing them to remain viable for centuries.

• Seismic-Proof Packaging: Instead of traditional glass vials, which could shatter during an earthquake, the seeds are stored in durable, multi-layered aluminum pouches, further protecting the invaluable collection from physical shocks.

"The most important thing for a seed bank is to be away from large populations, because the idea is to save the seeds from catastrophes like wars, among other things," explains Ana Sandoval, a researcher who has been with the center for over a decade. This isolation is a core part of its risk-management strategy.

Mission-Critical: Preserving Endemic Biodiversity

Chile is a global biodiversity hotspot, home to 4,655 native plant species. Critically, 46% of these are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. This biological heritage is both a national treasure and a source of unique genetic material that could hold solutions to future agricultural challenges.

The team at Intihuasi carries out a multi-faceted mission to protect this legacy.

• Fieldwork and Collection: Scientific expeditions travel across Chile's varied landscapes to locate and harvest seeds from rare, endangered, and ecologically significant plants. One recent success was the collection of the highly endangered Diplostephium paposanum, a flower found in the coastal fog zone of the Antofagasta region.

• Research and Germination: On-site greenhouses are used to determine the optimal conditions for germinating and propagating the preserved species. This research is vital for future reintroduction efforts and for understanding how these plants might be cultivated.

• Restoration and Rediscovery: The bank's collection includes remarkable success stories. Researchers have preserved seeds from a plant declared extinct in the 19th century. In another case, a native blue crocus, thought to be lost, was rediscovered in the Andes 50 years after its supposed extinction, allowing its seeds to be secured. For the endangered Diplostephium paposanum, the team has already reproduced the plant and designed a pilot scheme for its reintroduction into the wild.

"We have a very important mission, because we are contributing to the conservation of our biodiversity," Sandoval states with pride.

The Economic Imperative: Securing Chile's Agricultural Future

The project's ultimate significance is deeply tied to economics and food security. This perspective is championed by Carlos Furche, the director of the national seed bank network. With 50 years of experience in global food systems, including a term as Chile's Minister for Agriculture (2014-2018) and advisory roles at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, Furche understands the stakes.

"What we have here is a backup of all of the important genetic material from around the country," Furche says. "Global agriculture has survived by adapting to changes in environments, and Chile is poised to be one of the countries most affected by climate change."

The Mediterranean-type climate in Chile's central valleys, which underpins its lucrative fruit and wine industries, is already under strain from prolonged droughts and rising temperatures. The seed bank is the country's primary tool for proactive adaptation.

"Within a few decades, conditions in Chile will be very different," Furche warns. "With what we have here in this seed bank, we are going to be able to adapt to these new demands."

A Global Network for Genetic Insurance

While its focus is national, Chile's preservation effort is part of a larger global strategy. To ensure maximum security through redundancy, the Intihuasi bank collaborates with international partners.

• Regional Backup: Duplicate samples of its valuable bean species are now stored for safekeeping at a partner facility in Colombia.

• Global Vault: A selection of its crucial maize species has been sent to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the world's ultimate fail-safe facility, built deep inside an Arctic mountain in Norway. This participation connects Chile's national assets to the global food security system.

Looking Ahead: Adaptation in a Changing Climate

The Intihuasi seed bank is more than a static archive; it is a dynamic research center and a critical piece of national infrastructure for the 21st century. As climate change continues to reshape agricultural conditions worldwide, the genetic diversity stored within its frozen vaults will become an increasingly valuable resource.

The work being done today in the Atacama Desert is a calculated, long-term play. By preserving the ability to breed new crop varieties and restore damaged ecosystems, Chile is not just protecting rare plants—it is actively securing its economic stability and the future of its food supply.

As Carlos Furche concludes, "We will keep expanding the amount of material we have." For Chile, freezing the genetic past is the most effective way to unfreeze its future potential.